Snowden confident trio can test Menari
PARIAH is the seasoned performer, Assimilate’s last-start effort was exceptional and Dracarys is in very good shape.
This was the appraisal of champion trainer Peter Snowden of his talented trio of three-year-olds on the eve of their clash in the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill tomorrow.
Snowden knows how to win the classic, having prepared a record three winners with Forensics (2008), Denman (2009) and Epaulette (2012).
He is now trying for his first Golden Rose since forming a training partnership with his son Paul.
Snowden maintains all three colts are winning chances but concedes Pariah has the more proven form lines.
“Pariah has been there, done that at a good level,’’ Snowden said. “He is more seasoned, more hardened, and he has had a run at Group 1 level before (second in the Blue Diamond Stakes).
“The other two are young horses coming through the ranks. I would give Pariah the nod over the other two but I do like all three horses.’’
Pariah resumed with a brilliant win in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) on August 26 before bumping into Golden Rose favourite Menari in the Run To The Rose last start.
Snowden has respect for Menari but is approaching the rematch with quiet confidence.
“The 1400m tempo makes the Golden Rose a whole different race again – there is much more pressure,’’ he said.
“He is a good horse, Menari, and a deserved favourite but I’m confident Pariah will run well.’’
Menari is the $2 favourite with UBET to win the Golden Rose with Pariah next at $6.50. Assimilate is rated a $14 chance and Dracarys $19.
Assimilate hasn’t raced since his second to Addictive Nature in the Ming Dynasty Quality on August 26 while Dracarys last appeared seven days earlier when he won the Up And Coming Stakes.
Both colts had solid trials at Randwick last week and Snowden says “they are up to the mark” for the Golden Rose.